Bring on the Bubbles!

I'm a year-round Champagne drinker, but this time of year, I am not alone, especially with New Year's Eve just a few days away. Between friends and family and holiday parties, I have been enjoying my fair share of sparkling wine, Prosecco, Cava, and, of course, the real deal from the Champagne region of France. I have my favorites in every category, but one of my favorite "special occasion" sparklers from California is Schramsberg.

Tucked away, on a narrow driveway off the Highway that connects St. Helena and Calisotoga (you've probably passed it without even knowing it!), Schramsberg is home to the oldest caves in the Napa Valley. The tour I took with a friend back in March was educational and thorough, and as pleasant as the wines.

Our tour guide shared the history of how Jacob Schram started the winery in 1862 and how Schramsberg has evolved into a modern day sparkling wine powerhouse. As we walked through the caves, we stopped every so often to taste a different wine. Collectively, we tasted the 2005 vintages of the Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir), and Brut Rose and the 2002 J. Schram. Curiously, Schramsberg does not make a non-vintage (NV) sparkling wine. All of their wines are vintage dated.

Older Champagnes often take on a yeasty bread and nutty flavors. But the 2005 Blanc de Blancs was still crisp and clean with notes of baked brioche, Granny Smith apple, citrus, and a lovely finish. This is a fantastic bubbly to serve by itself or to accompany oysters, fresh crab, or French cheeses. Because each vintage is different, these wines all have their own personalities and differ slightly year to year. This is a style of sparkling wine that one could never tire of!